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Cloudy and muggy with rain in the forecast. Nevertheless, lots in bloom in the gardens. A sea of Callirhoe involucrata (Purple Poppy Mallow) gently swaying in the breeze, a tall Verbascum thapsus (Common Mullein) blooming against a Blue Spruce in the background, the complex, scented flowers of Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed), the fluffy white flowers of Sambucus canadensis cv. Maxima (American Elderberry) and the tall, feathery, pale yellow flowers of Thalictrum flavum subspec. glaucum (Meadow Rue).

Picture credits: Margery Ennist.

There used to be a set of stairs going up to the patio on the side of the Haggerty Education Center. Several years ago, the patio was renovated, the stairs were eliminated and new railings were installed; there is a handicapped accessible ramp to the patio, as well. The four lamp posts that were on the sides of the steps were left. The following spring, new plantings were installed where the stairs were; at first they really didn’t look like much, but as the plants became established, grew and spread, the area turned into an attractive garden visible as you come up the driveway at the Arboretum. 

The plantings are a combination of Prunus laurocerasus cv. Schipkaensis, Oakleaf Hydrangeas, Epimedium x versicolor ‘Sulphureum’, Hosta sieboldiana cv. Elegans, a lovely purple variegated leaf Iris, a perennial Geranium (Wargrave Pink, perhaps?) and some Columbines. Enjoy the photos.

Picture credits: Margery Ennist.

A bit muggy and cloudy at the Arboretum today, but we are expecting rain. As always, much to see and enjoy, such as the intricate, perfectly round seed head of an Allium flower, the beautiful, but toxic, flowers of a potato plant (Solanum tuberosum, in the Nightshade family) and a stalk of Phlomis tuberosa flowers (Jerusalem Sage, in the Mint family) working their way up the stem in groups of pretty lavender flowers.

Enjoy and plan to visit soon!

Picture credits: Margery Ennist.

Thanks to Steve Kanan for an update of images from a walk at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum on Sunday, June 5th.

A hazy, hot and humid last day of May; few visitors at the Arboretum today, but a Robin was seen hopping along on the lawn in front of the Mansion. A majestic Aesculus chinensis (Chinese Horsechestnut) is in full bloom, the Enkianthus campanulatus shrub (Redvein Enkianthus) in front of the Mansion is flowering and I saw a striking combination of Deutzia cv. Pink-a-Boo and Veronica austriaca ‘Crater Lake Blue’ (Deutzia Cultivar and Speedwell). Plan a visit soon!

Picture credits: Margery Ennist.

Thanks to Steve Kanan for these lovely pictures of springtime at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum.